South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet by Pat Billey, meet chairman

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JJr-d Inter-natiunal

~UC ,"eet by Patrick Billey

"We have often heard SDC members say that their lifelong dream was to bring their Studebaker home to South Bend. We never in our wildest dreams could have really understood their feeling.'> until now. We brought our Bullet-nose Iwme, and it was an unqualified emotional experience-one never to be equaled."

These kind words received from SDC members Pat and Larry Merhaut, Martinsburg, West Virginia, were echoed in the numerous letters that we received after the Meet from so many of the SDC membership.

T he success of any International Meet is at gratitude to each SDC member who supported the guests to artributed of course to the planning and orga 33rd International Meet with your attendance and rive on Friday nizing of the Meet Committee, the Commu participation. was Emami nity and the Sponsors that have supported the SDC Members began arriving on Friday after Lima, better S Meet. But most of all, no Meet would be successful noon. By Saturday afternoon we were seeing, like known as Mr. Lima, from Brazil. Many if it were not for the support of the SDC member the song says, "all those old familiar faces," and it of you made his acquaintance during the week and, ship. We, of the Michiana Chapter, extend our was sure good to have them "home." One of the first I believe, have a new friend.

Displays in the atrium ofrhe Marriofl. A 1957 Golden Hawk and a 1990 Avanti Touril1R Sedan queue up at Ihe Marriolt.

Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! Turning Wheels. j·Jovember 1997 6

by Pat Bil/ey, meet chairman South Bend '97 33rci International SOC Meet

Larry Johnson's 1949 Champion convertible on display lit the Century Center.

SDC members continued to arrive on Saturday and when the Meet registration officially opened on Sunday our volunteers were in high gear "wel(;oming you home ." Swap Meet vendors were busy with the drill of unloading those precious Studebaker parts and memorabilia and setting up for a week of fun. As each of the SDC members arrived, so did the Studebakers. What a sight to see the streets of South Bend begin to fill up with our favorite cars!

Two ofthe famous Wilk Brothers at Monday night's

Opening Reception. Fonner employees

were honored at this reception.

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Swap Meet vendor displays at the Century Center.

Monday's events included the National Board Meeting, the Swap Meet, tours of the "Hummer Plant", the University of Notre Dame, and The Studebaker Story Tour. The Studebaker Story Tour had been sold out and was an extremely popular tour. These tours, plus several others, were available and enjoyed by over 1,440 members throughout the week. -u

OF oTo end the evening on 0' 0';

recognize some very spe00 mcial guests at ourOpening ro g;Reception. We invited as ~ OJour guest, several former C 3 Studebaker employees

and those ofyou who were in attendance were able to hearnrsthand accounts ofwhat it was like to have been a "Studebaker" man

SDC Board Memhers at

the General Membership

Meeting. Pat Billey at the

podium welcoming all to the

International Meet.

Larry Swanson, SDC Publica~ o otions Director, chairing lhe 0'< ;>;

Editors ' !vieeting. (l> ::> 00 m roor woman. Each guest had g; ~so many stories, photos OJ Cand memorabilia to share 3 '"that the "reunion" contin

ued after the Opening Reception had officially ended. It is always remarkable to just sit and listen to these former Studebaker builders reminisce.

In conjunction with the regularly scheduled events for Tuesday, the Editors Meeting and the Chapter Presidents Meeting were held. Tuesday evening concluded with the General Membership Meeting to summarize the National Board Meeting, introduce the newly elected SDC officers and award the 36th International SDC Meet to Madison, Wisconsin, for the year 2000. Texas will be hosting the Meet in 1998, and South Dakota will be hosting it in 1999.

Turning Wheels • November 1997 Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! 7

South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet by Pat Bi/ley, meet chairman

The Studebaker National Museum Auction.

Highlighting the scheduled events on Wednesday was a very interesting auction that benefited the Studebaker National Museum. Approximately ten vehicles from the Museum were consigned to this auction. This collection ofduplicate vehicles, a school bus and last minute donated Hawk brought the bidding to a feverish pitch as the auctioneer scanned the crowd for a sale. As the gavel dropped for the last time and the cry of "sold" was heard, over $23,000 was on it's way to The Studebaker National :Museum and all of the vehicles had new owners.

Not to be outdone, the same auctioneer worked the SDC crowd at the National Auction later that evening. An interesting variety of items were do

33rd International Meet Statistics

Total Registrations ..... ........ ................ 1,062

Tours ........................... ......... ............. .. 1,440

Swap Meet Vendor Spaces ....... ........ .. .. 127

Concours "Judged" ............................. .. . 336

Concours "Display" ..... .... .... ... ....... ..... .... 221

nated for the auction to help raise funds for the National. We had a very large crowd for this year's auction and were able to r aise just over $4,400 from the 1997 National Auction. At the conclusion ofthe auction, one was able to find most "Studebaker" owners burning the midnight oil as they began the r itual of concours preparation. Some, I'm told, never saw their motel rooms and only stopped long enough to freshen up before leaving for the "big show."

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by Pat Billey, meet chairman

which is now the home of "Tippecanoe Place." Concours day dawned with a beautiful sunrise and provided one ofthe most gorgeous Concours days in recent years. And the Studebakers, they just kept coming and coming ... all 557 ofthem.lfyou missed this Meet, we can forgive you, but ifyou missed this Concours, you'll have to forgive yourself. Our expectations for the Concours were fulfilled beyond words.

Watch Concours Results

Chief Judge: George Reitenour

Judging Staff: W. Francisco, D.

Lockmon

Best of Show (all sizes) : Bob Grove

Most Accurate Watch 1) Michelle Myer, 10 sec

2) Wayne Francisco, 12 sec

3) James Snyder, 15 sec

Senior Class 1) Wayne Francisco, 87 pts

2) Alita Millette, 80 pts

3) Alita Millette, 78 pts

Class A (size 16-18)

1) Joseph Barker, 82 pts

2) Wayne Francisco, tie - 80 pts*

3) John Verrill, tie - 80 pts*

* coin toss, win went to W. Francisco

Class B (size 12)

1) Lester Diamond, 79 pts

2) James Snyder, tie - 77 pts*

3) Vester Brommett, tie - 77 pts*

, coin toss, win went to J. Snyder

Class C (size 6-0)

1) Bonita Harger, 84 pts

2) Wayne Francisco, 77 pts

3) Jackie Harrison, 74 pts

The Concours sights and sounds, as well as the entire Meet, were captured on video by Wheatland Productions and produced into our official Meet Video which is now available. Bradley David Productions, Inc., who produces the television show "My Classic Car" Video Magazi.ne, also had a film crew on hand and has produced a show segment which will be

Model Car

Contest Awards

Factory Assembled Under 16 - none 16 & Above: 1) Wayne Francisco

2) Mary Jo Beck 3) Joe Irmar;

Scratch Built Under 16: 1) Ivan Clark

16 & Above: 1) Bruce Anderson 2) Chuck Naugle

Kits Under 16: 1) Bill Rodhouse

2) John Rodhouse 16 & Above: 1) Matthew Wendt

2) Larry Tholen

Modified Kits Under 16: 1) Eric King

16 & Above: 1) Pat Biliey 2) Lewis Dandurand 3) Mike Wallace

Display/Diorama Under 16: 1) Mark Lepay

16 & Above: 1) Bruce Slifer 2) Dick Beck 3) John Caskey

South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet

televised nationally. The show is tentatively schedule to air on TNN twice during the third weekend of January, 1998.

This year's Concours included so many wonderful Studebakers that it is almost impossible to have selected a favorite. Some of the more memorable

Front Cover As our front cover testi

fies, the gathering of the Studebaker Truck Farmers hasgrowntobea maiorevent atinternational meets. Thanks to all those who participated in this year's photo session, and special thanks to Chuck Naugle for publicizing the event during the past year. Photo by John Cosby.•

Back Cover An aerial view of the 19q7 Concours field at Notre Dame University Can you spot

your Studebaker? Photo courtesy of Bill Steinmetz. Copies ofthis photo or one that also includes most of the University can be purchased from Bill. Prices are$10 +$3 postage fora 5;,7; $20 + $3 postage for an 8x10; and $30 +$3 postage for an 11x14 Contad Bill at 66090 Oak Road, Lakeville It·J 46536 or call (2191656-4950 or fax (219) 656-3603.•

Inside Front Cover Groundbreaking for the new Studebaker National Museum. This ceremony was

held Friday, June 27, 1997. Shown left to right in the foreground are Patrick Billey, Museum Board President and 1997 International Meet Chairman; Brian Millette, SDC President; Stephen Luecke, Mayor of South Bend; and Rolland Kelly, South Bend City Council member. At the podium is Ron Radecki, Director of the Studebaker National Museum. Photo courtesy of Gregg Shaffer.

Inside Back Cover Special attendees at this year's International were Craig and Lori Erickson of

Fresno, California. They were married at Lake Tahoe on June 21,1997, and then took their honeymoon trip to South Bend They pulled the camp trailer (shown in the photo) with their1964 Gran Turismo Hawk. Prior to the trip, they gave the historic trailer a full restoration. They made it to South Bend and back with no problems. Photo by John Cosby.•

Turning Wheels • November 1997 Many THANKS to the Interna tiona l Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! 9

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A 1997 AVX. Compare to the original Avanti design on the right.

South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet by Pat Billev meet chairman

John Thomas KacZJ11£1.rek takillg a break from the Concours in the

Concours vehicles included the School Bus that was auctioned off the day before, the fabulous A VX production car, a host of beautiful prewar Studebakers and a fleet of Commercial Trucks that you had to see to believe. This assemblage of Commercial Trucks was due in part to none other than "Bee Haw" Chuck Naugle who spread the word to the StudebakerTruck Farmers (see front cover).

As one walked up and down the aisles of Bulletnoses, Hawks, Coupes and Hardtops, it was difficult not to lose one's focus and gaze into the next aisle of early postwar Commanders, Presidents, Champions

Jim Lange '5 record breaking 211 mph Studebaker powered Avanti.

Sam and Kathy Sandifer's '50 bullet-nose milli street rod and Russian pedal car.

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Another Concours :'!1oozer wC's Michelle Mver, shown here with her 1960 Lark VI/l convertibLe. Note the drive·.illfood tray.

Mini Truck Farmers, Aaron & Sabrina Welch, in front of Ford Stoecker's J937 Coupe-Express and 1963 8£15 Diesel.

Jack Reed, Assistant to the Mayor of

South Bend, tak.:s a turn at Ch.uck

Naugle's Studebaker Corn SheLLer.

{he 1950-52 row at the Concours. What a mlute to Studebaker' back ofhis dad 's 1950 Champion four-door sedan.

Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! Turning Wheels • November 1997 10

b y Pat Bi/ley, meet c ha irma n South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet

S£L::"-.e.. .,.~~~.. l"l 6" Lloyd Moore took the

Corn Sheller was Another Studebaker

"Longest Bea rd" brought to the meet by award al the Jim Kile. Standing by Studebaker Brothers Jim's sheller Beard Contest. Lloyd are (leji to right) notes, "Driving Chuck Naugle. Studes is more fun Clayton Mourning and than shaving. " Carroll Studebaker. Explaining the bugs Chuck and Clayton in his beard, he started to work for quipped, "The Studebaker in 1948 on window was stuck the very same day. open on my Stude

baker truck when I drove through

Bugtustle. " and Larks. South Bend was truly treated to a spectacle A model of the new museum at the groulldbreaJing ceremmly. that will not soon be forgotten, as was witnessed by the Museum Director Ron Radecki is at the podium. Concours participation from within the community. Concours when The Antique Studebaker Club

Fun Night marshaled their cars at the museum in preparaconcluded the tion for a road trip. Immediately after the day's events Groundbreaking, judging for The Studebaker with merry en Harry and Brothers Beard Contest was held. This was a

Norah Barnes, t e rtainment very popular event as attested by the number of snc fo unders,from "Stude participants.at the groundbaker John and breaking Then it was off to the Co-Operator Sessions the Hawks" who cerenwllY for and Seminars. What an opportunity to again introduced The new listen to the Studebaker history from guests

museum. Patmanyto Chicago including Otis Romine, Harold Johnson, Eli Billey is at the Land "Blues." Spicer, Carl Thompson, Lester Fox and Copodium. For

We all received another founder of NASCAR, Frank Mundy. I strongly a special treat ground suggest that you do not miss any opportunity to when the SDC breaking absorb the rich history that is still available from

photo, see the members from many of these living contributors to all that inside front New Zealand Studebaker is and was. cover.

The day was not yet over, the peaceful calm of a pleasant Friday afternoon was soon to be

The children shattered by uncapped open headers from highenjoyed the clown

at Fun Night. octane burning, neck wrenching, heart poundGroundbreaking was held for the new Studebaker ing "Studebaker Drag Races." Some ofthe locals

performed a song complete with their official New National Museum. Several hundred SDC members who ventured out to the dragstrip for some Zealand Studebaker shirts. were on hand as the earth was turned and commit "practice runs" were stunned at the sight of"Hot

We were privileged to be able to include a very ments from the City ofSouth Bend were reaffirmed. Rod Studebakers" that had invaded their local special event on Friday morning, a Ceremonial The Groundbreaking Ceremony included a mini strip in what they must have thought was a time

Turning Wheels • November 1997 Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! 11

South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet

Put Billey, Meel Chairman (right), presents a Recognilion Award to Harry Barnes, founder of SDC (left) .

warp nightmare. Osceola Dragway will never be the same.

The Awards Banquet ended the day's events with the recognition of successful Concours participants, and with the number of entrants-there were many. Our national head judge, David Ridge, did a tremendous job with the total number of vehicles that were judged. As always, it was a pleasure to turn the podium over to our founder,

Thanks to SDC members from North Carolina. Gilmer "Jackie" Bosl was able to attend ann enjoy the meet.

Mr. Harry Barnes, who addressed the crowd and shared his thoughts on what his early vision has become. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Harry who had the foresight to begin this organization.

The "rewards of patience" awaited those who planned their stay in South Bend to include The Studebaker Parade through downtown South Bend on Saturday morning. A total of 260 Studebakers, two by two, made their way from the heart of the City out to the former Studebaker Proving Ground. What a sight to see as row after row of Studebakers passed along streets that were once filled with these beauties.

The pleasure oftouring "The Studebaker

The parade begins. Two hundred and sixty SlUdebakers

rolled through the streets of South Bend. The Administra

tion Building is at the right.

by Pat Bi/ley, meet chairman

Left: The staging area for the Saturday parade. The Newman & ALlman building is in the background.

Proving Ground" in one's Studebaker can only be experienced in South Bend. We were delighted that so many of you had that opportunity and enjoyed the experience. What a way to close out a week of renewed friendship with all of the SDC members, The Antique Studebaker Club and AOAI members who, to

gether, made the 33rd International SDC Meet the largest Meet to date.

As most of you know, the 38th International SDC Meet, which will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Studebaker, is scheduled to return to South Bend during June 16-22, 2002. If you missed this one, start planning now to join us for this special International Meet.

Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! Turning Wheels • November 1997 12

b) Pat Billey, meet chairman

Attempting to thank everyone who had a part in the success ofthis Meet is not easy ... the trophy sponsors, concours helpers, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, swap meet vendors, St udebaker National Museum, meet book advertiser s ... Of course, it goes without saying that someone could be accidentally overlooked.

However, in closing, I must again express my sincere appreciation to every member of The Meet Committee who stayed the course for three years of planning, meetings, late night phone calls and a t remendous amount of commitment to make this Meet a success. It has been my privilege to have served as the Meet Chairman and to have had the pleasure of working with such a dedicated group of ladies and gentleman. Thank you one and all! r6

Four Studebakers "speed" around the track at the former Studebaker Proving Ground.

Special Thanks to the following people for providing photos for this Meet Issue of Turning Wheels:

DAVID ARNOLD, KEN & ELEANOR BLUME, JOHN COSBY, BEE HAMLIN, BRAD KUCHAN & FR IENDS, JAM ES MALONEY, DON & MARCELLAMANKAMYER, CHUCK NAUGLE, GREGG SHAFrER, AND BILL STEINMETZ. J6

Harold Vermillion (Iefi) and Brad Kuchall (right). Harold performed in the original Studebaker Corporation Bandfrom 1927 to 1933. His sons, Dale and Dean. perj:ormed with the 1997 band. Brad is the director ofthe current Studebaker Bmut.

South Bend '97 33rd International SDC Meet

1997 Studebaker Band

SDC members again enjoyed the great numbers performed prior to Fun Night by the Studebaker Band. For many, this is one of the main highlights of the International week. Our special thanks to Brad and Jenny Kuchan for organizing this annual event.

Next year's performance will be held at the International in Austin, Texas. The practice and performance will be held on Thursday, July 2, 1998. Those interested in performing in the band in 1998 should contact Brad Kuchan at 6 Aberdeen, Bloomington IL 61704 or (309) 663-9177. LJ

THE 1997 STUDEBAKER BAND

Studebaker Band Participants South Bend, Indiana • June 1997 • Band Director: Brad Kuchan, Illinois

Alice Barbieri, Mississippi

Larry Blyly, Michigan

John Clark, Michigan

Bruce G. Connor, Missouri

Don Connor, Missouri

Stephen Connor, Missouri

Brian Coppin , Missouri

Matt Coppin, Missouri

John Cosby, Kentucky

Robyn Crabtree, Tennessee

Dennis Day, Iowa

Gary Hallgren, New York

Hal Hermann, Virginia

Tom Hoadley, Ohio

Hezzy Kappus, Wisconsin

Don Kellogg, Washington

Jenny Kuchan, Illinois

Ray Martin, Ontario

Dan Orloff, Wisconsin

Danielle Pieper, Nebraska

Gloria Richard, Penn.

Dennis Schrimpf, Wis.

Larry Swanson, Illinois

Dale Vermillion, Oregon

Dean Vermillion, Penn.

Harold Vermillion, Indiana

Matt Wendt, Wisconsin

Marian Yerby, Illinois

Turning Wheels. November 1997 Many THANKS to the International Meet Committee for a BIG SUCCESS! 13